After a six year reprieve, the U.S. Ski Team finished its second camp of the season and second spring on-snow camp in Bend, Oregon in as many years this last week. Ten days at Mt. Bachelor Nordic Resort played host to a myriad of conditions — from classic Oregon crust to transformed spring slush to fresh powder — giving athletes the chance to test equipment in an assortment of snows.
![](http://images.fasterskier.com/oldsitearchive/upload/080628-055418-2.jpg width=315 height=270 border=1><br />
<font size=1 face=verdana> Andrew Newell and Chris Grover ready to catch some tasty afternoon waves</font></center></p>
<p>One national team and two continental cup athletes actively tested ski brand versus ski brand, getting in one more chance to see how a change of equipment suppliers could work out. </p>
<p>Three national team athletes — Chris Cook, Andrew Newell, Torin Koos — and nine continental cup racers — Lindsey Dehlin, Lindsey Williams, Liz Stephens, Morgan Arritola, Morgan Smyth, Rosie Brennan, Leif Zimmerman, Matt Gelso, Noah Hoffman — attended the camp. </p>
<p><b>The West Yellowstone of the Spring?</b></p>
<p> “The Bend Spring Ski Camp is the way to kick off the training year,†says Lars Flora of Saab Salomon Factory Team/APU. “If you’re a North American skier and you’re not here, you’re missing out. The skiing and the scene are that good. At the mountain it was like it was mid-winter. Springtime in Bend is the ideal place for afternoon dryland training. This on-snow/off-snow mix is hard to find.â€</p>
<p>“It would be something if Mt. Bachelor in June becomes the West Yellowstone of the spring. Instead of a handful of western clubs skiing, twenty or thirty clubs should all be out here. Getting together with other motivated athletes is something I’ve underestimated my whole career. While on my own I think I’m making gains — fitness or technique or otherwise. But only in training together on-snow with national team level skiers do I really see my weaknesses coming out. I really got something out of competing with the sprinters in the skate sprint time trial and in the uphill double pole intensity session at this camp. </p>
<p>After this, because of this, I have a more solid idea of what my strengths are, and where my greatest improvements lie. Improving these – and catching that seventy pound Alaskan king are my July goals.â€</p>
<p>National Team Coach Justin Wadsworth was the logistics guru who got this camp together. Ken Rodman and the Tumalo Langlauf Ski Club got the Mt. Bachelor ski trails open. Elk Lake Resort provided the grooming. “Elk Lake’s a great place to ski in the winter and the nicest lake you’ll find in the Cascades,†said Justin. “Mr. Rodman, Elk Lake and the Mt. Bachelor management made this camp happen.â€</p>
<p><b>Lindsey Williams — Bend a Reprieve from Surgery, Stationary Cycle</b></p>
<p>Two days after U.S. Long Distance Nationals, Lindsey Williams found surgery the only option to relieve persistent lower leg pain. “In mid-April, April tenth exactly, I had my fascia surgery to release all the compartments in both legs,†said Lindsey. Six six-inch scars show the surgeon’s work. “From the surgery until Bend I couldn’t train with others. I could only bike. Bend was a great, welcome change of pace. Finally I could train like a skier and be around the team again.â€</p>
<p>With the guidance of Matt Whitcomb, aided by the input of Pete Vordenberg, Ms. Williams has a sprint skier focus for the first time. “I’m working on speed. I’m focused on getting really, really fast and specializing,†said Williams. “Getting the speed is the big priority this year. I’m doing lots of sets of 30 second intervals, speeds during distance sessions, and have a new strength plan. Before I used to get a little carried away in the weight room — I can’t let this stuff take away from the skiing.†</p>
<p><b>Dryland Along the Coast: Keeping the Stoke High</b></p>
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![](http://images.fasterskier.com/oldsitearchive/upload/080628-055418-1.jpg width=432 height=236 border=1><br />
<font size=1 face=verdana>Training in the high mountain desert snow outside Bend, Oregon</font></center></p>
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